Bicentennial committee taking a second look at fund-raising venue

Somerset Borough Bicentennial Committee members are planning to take a second look at an offer to hold a summer concert at the Jennerstown Speedway.

During his committee report, member Tony Novak said members need to rethink their decision to accept an offer from local businessman David Wheeler to hold what could be the group's largest fund raiser at the racetrack, located approximately 9 miles from Somerset Borough.

Previously, the committee had discussed holding the concert at the Somerset Area School District's football stadium, which could seat roughly 1,000 patrons in the stands, plus additional seating could be feasible.

"I'm not sure where we are going with this. If the committee wants to have this at the Jennerstown Speedway or if we are going to stay with the original plan to have it at the (stadium)."

Advertisement

Committee members are planning a June concert, with proceeds going toward paying for the bicentennial celebration.

Members agreed the concert was not a part of the actual bicentennial celebration, and is intended to be a fund raiser, so the location isn't that crucial. Novak, on the other hand, suggests keeping the concert closer.

"I personally think that we should keep this concert at the (field)," Novak said. "You are still looking at making a profit. Yes, you would probably make more money at the Jennerstown Speedway, but you are also going to have to spend the money to hire a promoter to handle all of this."

Novak said that if the concert was held at the field, the spectators would be stationed primarily on the football field itself.

"This generation of concert-goers are not going to sit in the stands to listen to the music," he said.

Wheeler, owner of the Jennerstown Speedway and Wheeler Bros., told the group last month the racetrack seats about 10,000 people, and concerts have been held there in the past. He also told the group he is willing to offer one of his properties and equipment for at least one of the planned events.

"There are two things that you really have to keep in mind," Novak told the committee Thursday. "Whenever you negotiate anything with (the music group), it doesn't matter to them if you have 15,000 tickets to sell. You have to do that on your end. And their price is going to increase as they know the volume of people that could possibly be there."

Novak said that if the committee would go with a larger venue, he could not handle the planning efforts needed to fulfill his responsibilities to the group and suggested hiring a promoter.

"You are taking a big risk if you take it outside of the area and are looking toward the bigger venue," he said.

Security also is a factor in that concert-goers are more inclined to obey a police officer in uniform than someone working the venue as a security guard, Novak said.

One advantage to the speedway that the committee discussed last month was using the speedway's security.

"One of the reasons why we decided to have it there was because of the security at the speedway," said committee member and Somerset Borough Mayor Bill Meyer. "They felt that we could get better coverage with the security that they already had there opposed to a few police officers in Somerset." Also, parking at the speedway would be more favorable than parking near the football field, he said.

"That is why we felt that it would be more advantageous to have it outside the borough."

Novak recommended having the concert at the field, parking cars in the school's soccer fields and many of the local residents could walk to the event.

Committee member Sandy Berkebile also added that in Wheeler's proposal, the committee also could have use of the speedway's concession stands to sell food and drinks, .

Novak suggested contracting food services out to another business if they used the field.

"It is up to you," he said. "I am just looking at Somerset and the smaller numbers and I have no problem doing one about 3,000. If you decide to have it in Jennerstown, you are going to have to go to a professional agency, which is going to cost you."

With the new venue, the committee can expand its advertising region to attract more spectators, allowing them to bring in more revenue.

Wheeler also offered to include the committee's events in his own advertising that he does for the speedway at no charge.

The group plans to make contact with Wheeler to discuss the arrangements further.

In other business, the committee decided to hold a dedication ceremony on Jan. 16 for a bicentennial statue, designed and constructed by local blacksmith Dave Weimer. The unveiling will be done just before the fireworks to kick-off the Somerset Inc.'s Fire and Ice Festival. Among those scheduled to speak at the dedication are borough manager Benedict G. Vinzani Jr. and mayor Bill Meyer.

The group also plans to have a bicentennial rifle to be raffled off. Committee members are currently selling tickets for the fundraiser. The winner will be chosen from the Pennsylvania Lottery drawing.

Sandy Berkebile unveiled the group's souvenirs, which are already on sale.

Residents can purchase a sweatshirt, tee-shirt, lapel pin, ornament or marble to commemorate the birthday celebration. They are being sold at several local merchants and are also available at The Philip Dressler Center for the Arts during Laurel Arts' Christmas Craft Shoppe. The shoppe runs through Dec. 21. The shoppe will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 1 to 4 p.m. each weekend..

Committee members are still looking for information regarding a possible time capsule from 1954 when the borough celebrated its sesquicentennial celebration. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the borough at 445-9742.